In this set of lessons, Caren Armstrong will teach basic Travis picking technique. We'll start with an overview of Travis picking, then get into basic terminology and orientation. Next up is the important hand position, the we'll detail the basic picking pattern and counting the rhythm. A simple exercise follows; then we'll review some reminders of what not to do. Then we'll play some examples in 3 keys, and end with increasing your speed.

In this tutorial we're going to ditch our pick and explore some more advanced finger picking. This will most likely be quite challenging for you, but we will take it all one step at a time and ultimately this will lay the foundation for the incredibly valuable country rhythm tool known as "Travis Picking". There is no limit to how far you can eventually take this concept, but even in its most basic form it's an incredibly useful rhythm guitar tool that any country guitar player should be able to use.

In this tutorial we're going to venture further into the wonderful, but challenging world of Travis-picking on acoustic guitar. Now we're going to add 1-5 motion in the bass as well as a movement between the I and the IV-chord on the treble strings. When you put all this together, you'll hear that it almost sounds like a ragtime piano and in fact this style of guitar playing was invented by imitating the left and right hand of a piano player.

We've already explored some basic Travis picking on acoustic guitar, but now it's time to explore this great technique on our electric. Everything we did on the acoustic can be transferred directly to the electric guitar, and you'll most likely notice that it's all a lot easier to pull off. That's because most people generally have lighter strings and lower action on electric guitars. This will also mean we can make it slightly more advanced and add a bunch of cool tricks to the basic sound.

In this series of eight lessons, Andy Gurley will introduce you to the picking styles of Chet Atkins and Merle Travis. First up is the basic picking hand motion, then you'll start developing the use of your thumb. Adding finger syncopation is next, then we'll examine a progression using our basic pattern. Then it's time to develop independence with your fingers and thumb, and we'll conclude with some moveable shapes and final thoughts.

Caren will show you to take the basic Travis picking skills learned in an earlier tutorial and play a more advanced version of this this acoustic guitar style technique.

Anders will show you how to take your Travis Picking skills to the next level with one of the most classic patterns you'll ever learn.

Anders will put together a practice tune with a strong Travis picking country vibe using the skills and ideas in this chapter: Travis picking, clawhammer, hybrid picking.